Student Handbook

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! We are happy to have the opportunity to work with you and your children in the coming year. Our school is continually initiating programs and updating our curriculum to better meet the needs of our students and to fulfill the obligations of the Maine Learning Results and No Child Left Behind. We are proud of our accomplishments and the accomplishments of our students.

We believe communication is a critical part of our success at Boothbay Region Elementary School. This handbook is designed to acquaint you with the important policies and procedures we follow at B.R.E.S. In addition to individual teacher correspondence, progress reports and report cards, you will receive our weekly newsletter on Friday. A calendar of school activities, academic updates, and special information are always a part of this newsletter. A copy of the newsletter can also be accessed on the B.R.E.S. website http://boothbayregionelementaryschool.org . If you have any questions, please feel free to call (633-5097) or stop by the school.

You will be invited to visit the school throughout the year for special programs and events. We hope you will take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to visit your child here at school. The support you provide your child and your participation in their educational program will correlate highly with his/her success. Thank you for allowing us to work with you and your children in the coming months.



Sincerely,


The Staff at Boothbay Region Elementary School

BELIEF STATEMENT
BOOTHBAY REGION C.S.D.

Education is a lifelong process which begins with our students and their families, extends to our schools, and encompasses our entire community. Our common goals are to create a safe environment, stress academic excellence, respect diversity, and promote self-awareness and an appreciation of the world. Shared high expectations lead all students to develop the knowledge and skills to participate constructively and creatively in society.

Each of our students will be expected to become:

An effective communicator who

Reads, listens to, and interprets information accurately
Writes, speaks, and responds in a clear and purposeful manner

Thinks and questions logically, critically, and relatively
Locates, evaluates, and applies information
Establishes and attains goals
Develops new interests and skills
Exhibits intellectual curiosity and aesthetic interest

Makes knowledgeable decisions regarding physical and mental well being
Accepts responsibility for his/her own actions
Demonstrates a positive self-concept
Demonstrates an understanding of moral and ethical choices
Reacts to adversity in responsible ways and adapts to challenging circumstances

Completes tasks independently
Collaborates with others
Plans, creates, evaluates, and recognizes quality products
Assumes accountability for their work
Manages time, space, resources and technology

Demonstrates awareness of current issues
Understands and respects human diversity
Understands historical and cultural heritages
Participates in the local, national and world communities
Applies sound environmental practices

Frames questions and designs data collection and analysis strategies from all the disciplines to answer those questions
Identifies patterns, trends, and relationships that apply a solution to a problem
Generates a variety of solutions, builds a case for the best response, and critically evaluates the effectiveness of this response

WELCOME TO THE BOOTHBAY REGION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Boothbay Region Elementary School is a receiver of NCLB Title 1A funds. As the parent of a student in a Title 1A school, you have the right to request information about your child's teacher's qualifications.

School-Parent Compact

School Responsibilities
We, as educators at Boothbay Region Elementary School, will support student learning in the following ways:

1. Provide challenging curriculum and instruction that enables the participating children to meet the State of Maine Learning Results:


a. Provide a safe, caring environment that promotes active learning.
b. Provide quality teaching and leadership.
c. Inform students, families and the community about the high academic standards at our school and how they can help students achieve these standards.
d. Explain assignments clearly and provide homework that supports the curriculum.
e. Give students the time they need in order to learn.
f. Recognize students as individuals with different learning styles and needs.

2. Develop a caring school climate that promotes academic achievement:


a. Educate parents, staff and students about our Code of Conduct.
b. Help children to solve conflicts in nonviolent ways.
c. Promote understanding and appreciation for cultural differences.
d. Provide mentoring opportunities.

3. Provide opportunities for parent involvement in their child’s schooling.


a. Hold open houses in the fall.
b. Schedule parent teacher conferences in the fall or as needed throughout the school year.
c. Written reports are distributed at least 5 times per year.
d. Develop opportunities for parents to volunteer.

Talk and listen to my child regarding his or her school experiences
Require regular, on time school attendance
Send my child/children to school ready to learn
Attend school activities and parent teacher conferences
Show respect and support for my child, the staff and the school
Provide a quiet place for my child to study
Encourage my child to do well at all school assignments
Volunteer for school-related activities
Monitor my child’s homework
Promote positive use of my child’s extracurricular time
Stay informed about my child’s education and communicate with the school when necessary

Come to school regularly, on time, and ready to learn
Work hard and do my best
Accept responsibility for my own actions
Show respect for myself and others
Resolve conflicts peacefully
Ask for help when I need it
Make healthy decisions that help me reach my goals
Know what is expected of me

Personal illness
An appointment with a dentist or doctor
Emergency family situations
Observance of recognized religious holidays
Planned absences which the principal has approved

Parents are required to call the school from 7:00 to 8:00 on the days their child will not be present. If the school is not contacted, we will call you at home or work.

Students who arrive after 7:50 must sign in at the office as tardy because attendance has already been taken.

Students who arrive after 10:00 a.m. will be considered present for a half day. Students who are dismissed after 10:00 am. will be marked present for a half day. Students who enter school after 1:00 p.m. will be marked absent for the entire day.

Students who arrive after 9:30 am. will not be allowed to participate in after school activities. Exceptions will be granted if the tardiness is due to appointments that could not be scheduled outside of school hours. Parents are urged to make doctor or dentist appointments outside of school hours.

Any student who accumulates seven tardies in one marking trimester will be subject to school discipline.

STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Parents should be aware of both their child's health and the effect that it could have on others. A student who feels ill should stay home. Many cases of severe illness and epidemics can be prevented this way. Cooperation on the part of all will keep our school health at the highest level possible. If, in the opinion of the school nurse a pupil does not seem physically fit to remain in school, he/she shall be sent home.

DISPENSING OF MEDICATION
1. Teachers are not allowed to dispense or apply any medications.
2. Any student who must take medication during school hours should bring instructions from their physician stating what the medication is, for what it is prescribed, and the dosage to be taken. These medications are to be kept in the nurse's office, unless other arrangements have been made.
3. All medications must be made available in their original bottle with the students name and amount of dosages listed on the label.

HEALTH REGULATIONS
Required student vision and hearing screening occur in grades K, 1, 3, 5 and 7

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
The school must be notified if your child contracts the following disease: chicken pox, measles, mumps, scarlet fever, hepatitis, meningitis, scabies, impetigo or head lice.

ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS
A child may be excused from school before the end of the day if he/she is ill. Any child who becomes ill or is injured must report to the school nurse. After an evaluation by the school nurse a decision will be made as to whether the child should be sent home. We prefer to be over cautious in contacting parents about a child's health and safety. Parents are asked to keep the information provided on emergency cards up to date.

SCHOOL HEALTH CENTER
The Boothbay Region School Health Center is up and running again this year. We have some significant changes in our hours of operation and availability of social work and primary care as a result of our receiving a federal grant to increase mental health integration into primary care. This means that our social worker, Tammy Blackman, is available at the school every day! She also will be holding after school hours for family and individual counseling on Fridays. We are so fortunate to have social work resources at our school, and this grant makes it possible to have greater access to mental health services.

Primary care hours have doubled through the grant as well. Our nurse practitioner, Anne Barker, is now available for primary care services Tuesday through Friday 8-12 in the health center. School nursing is always available with Lori Grinnell. Her hours at the high school are 8:15-9:15 every morning. Otherwise, she is available at the her office in the elementary school. Physical Therapy Services are available through our physical therapist, Jim Stevens on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2-3.

    The following services are available:

•        Sports/new student physicals
•        Immunizations
•        Diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses
•        Evaluation of sports injuries and Physical Therapy referrals
•        Mental Health referrals
•        Annual health assessment
•        STD testing/treatment
•        Contraception
•        Other services as indicated

Several payment options are available, for further information, please contact either Anne Barker or Lori Grinnell at 633-2421.

BUSING
All students are eligible to ride the school bus to and from school. All students in grades K-5 must take the bus home unless the office is notified of alternative arrangements. It is your responsibility to make arrangements for someone to meet your child at his/her destination.

Parents must observe the following procedure when altering a student’s method of transportation:

1. Students (K-5) who will not be riding the bus home MUST HAVE A NOTE FROM THEIR PARENT. These notes are to be given to their homeroom teacher. Please send a bus note with your child if there is a change in the regular after school plan. All bus notes must contain the child’s first and last name, the name of their homeroom teacher, where they are going and whom they will be with and must be signed by a parent.

2. Students attending the YMCA programs or extracurricular activities may use a blanket permission slip for the period of time involved. When the program or activity has ended, a new note to update the after school plan will be needed.

3. Notes may be written on Monday for the entire week.

4. If there is an emergency and you must change your child’s after school plan, call the school office by 11:00. For the safety of your child, we cannot take any bus changes after 11:00.

1. Buses will pick up students two hours later than their usual time.
2. When school has a delayed opening, school will begin at 9:50
3. Students should arrive at school by 9:45. Please do not drop off your child prior to 9:30, as there is no supervision available.
4. Breakfast will not be served on these days.

If a delayed opening is called for and the road conditions have not improved by the time buses are scheduled to travel, school will then be canceled. This information will be updated on radio and television stations.

If we have a potential dismissal due to weather conditions it would be very helpful for your child to know exactly where they are to go after dismissal.

FOOD SERVICES
A balanced breakfast and hot lunch are offered daily at BRES. The cost of breakfast for the 2010-2011 school year is $1.35. Breakfast will be available at the start of the school day. It will also continue to be provided to the children in the classrooms by breakfast cart at snack time.

Lunch will be provided for $2.35 for students in grades K-8, milk may be purchased for .40 cents. The adult price for breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $5.00..

The Micro Check Program will be in effect again this year. Students in grades 1-8 will have the same account number they had last year. Kindergarten and all new students will be given an account number the first day of school. Parents may pre-pay for meals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. No charging of meals will be allowed. Please send the accurate amount of money, as the homeroom teachers will not have the money available to make change.

Students in grades 5-8 may purchase a la carte items such as chips, juice, baked goods, crackers, etc. Students need to pay cash for these items or have parent's permission to debit their account for these purchases. If a parent chooses not to allow a child to participate in the a la carte program, please contact the Food Service Department. A block can be put on the student’s account to prevent any purchases being made.

Applications for free and reduced priced meals are sent home at the beginning of the year and are available from the office throughout the year. Students receiving reduced rates will pay $.40 cents for lunch.

Any questions or concerns may be directed to Food Services at 633-7131.

GRADING AND PARENT CONFERENCES
Parent – Teacher communication is one of the highest priorities at B.R.E.S. For this reason, parent conferences are held in the fall and throughout the year as needed. Report cards are sent out every trimester and interim trimester progress reports are also provided for parents. Parents are encouraged to call and request a meeting with their child’s teachers if they have any questions.

STUDENT RECORDS
Boothbay Region Elementary School adheres to all aspects of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (F.E.R.P.A.), and has developed a local policy to assist in implementing the law. One aspect of that law is the provision for parents to have access to student records. Parents have the right to inspect, to request copies and to appeal the inclusion of some materials. There are specific guidelines regarding maintenance of records and access to those records. Parents are urged to contact their school principal to discuss records or to request a copy of the policy.

ASSESSMENT
All students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in the fall using NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) and in the spring using N.W.E.A. a nationally normed computerized assessment. The D.R.A. (Diagnostic Reading Assessment) is given to students in the elementary grades. These assessments help inform and guide teachers in planning instruction.

1. To assess needs and develop interventions for students
2. To be available as a brainstorm team for staff

Speech and Language therapy
Resource Room
Multi-handicapped Classroom
Evaluation services

Treat each other with dignity and respect. Be kind to each other in words and actions. Be respectful to ALL adults who work at, or visit the school. Use appropriate manners (i.e. “thank you?, “please", “you’re welcome"). Use language that doesn’t offend others (i.e. profanity and/or vulgar language is not acceptable).

Be on time for class. Be prepared! Bring books, pencils and other supplies. Bring a positive attitude. Sit where assigned. Respect other students’ space (i.e. walking space, desk space, locker, etc.). Respect school property (i.e. no littering, damaging walls, doors or furniture, etc.).

At all times students will: Walk quietly. Respect other students’ space (walking space, locker, property), Respect school property (No slamming lockers, littering, kicking, or hitting walls, etc.).

At all times students will: Treat cafeteria workers respectfully. Go directly to their seats. Stay in their seat while eating. Use appropriate lunchroom manners (i.e. do not throw food, speak in a quiet voice). Eat the lunch you have – do not trade or give food away.

No loud talking, fooling around, hanging out. FLUSH! Wash hands with soap and water. Place paper towels in the trash bin. Return immediately to class.

Students will be familiar with playground boundaries and rules. Rough play is unacceptable (i.e. wrestling, intentional bumping and pushing). Students will only throw safe, appropriate objects in designated areas (i.e. playground balls, footballs). Students will go directly outside at recess time and remain outside until requested to come back inside. Students will return playground equipment to designated areas. Students will enter the building in an orderly manner.

Possession or use of articles commonly used or designed to inflict bodily harm and/or to intimidate other persons. Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosives, switchblades, butterfly knives, chains, clubs, brass knuckles and Kung Fu stars.

Use of any object as a weapon, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict or threaten bodily harm and/or to coerce, or harass another person. Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to: belts, pencils, files, compasses, scissors, or replicas of weapons (including toys).

Verbal warning
Time-out of classroom
Loss of privileges
Loss of break/recess
Teacher/administrator conference with student/parent
Confiscation

Phone call to parent/guardian
Written notification
Conference with parent/guardian

The following consequences require parent notification. They may also include an action plan developed by school personnel, parents and appropriate community members:

Reallocation of Student’s Time or Activities

Detention
In-school suspension
Campus cleanup
Saturday detention
Counseling with guidance counselor or social worker

Alternative placement
Mandatory use of seat belt
Removal from the bus
Restricted access
Suspension

Per school board policy
Recommendation by administration to school board